Undergraduate

Information Technology

Learn essential skills to build, operate, and secure information technology systems.

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Location

Durham, NH

Courses

21*

Credit

128 hrs.*

Full-time

4 yrs.

Part-time

Varies

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student working in the InterOperability Laboratory

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Computer Science

The Information Technology degree at UNH offers comprehensive training in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape. Here you'll be able to gain hands-on experience through paid internships at the UNH Interoperability Lab, one of the nation's premier testing facilities for data and networking technologies.

With access to the Programming Assistance Center, innovative research opportunities, and an active cybersecurity team, you'll develop practical skills essential for success in network administration, cybersecurity, software development, and other high-demand tech careers.

*Number of courses and course credit hours may vary, please reach out to your academic advisor for exact requirements.

Computer Science Department

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Innovation scholars

The only first-year research and innovation program of its type in the region!

The Innovation Scholars program, open to all CEPS majors, offers students an exceptional launch to their college experience. Through multiple interdisciplinary cohorts and hands-on research in world-class facilities, students build confidence, gain real experience, and open doors to paid research, internships, and future graduate study. It’s a proven program that helps students shape their future from day one.

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Tuition Costs

Contact Cards

Mike Gildersleeve

Principal Lecturer

Michael.Gildersleeve@unh.edu

Kingsbury Hall, Room W247, Durham, NH 03824

(603) 862-2506

What is a Bachelor of Science in information technology?

This program is tailored to students who want to apply computer technologies toward satisfying the information needs of individuals and organizations. The curriculum is rooted in fundamentals; students gain the skills and knowledge needed to enter this ever-changing field with confidence. With a solid foundation in science, students also develop strong programming and problem-solving skills, as well as abstract thinking. The IT program arms graduates with the know-how they’ll bring to professional positions upon graduation and, eventually, in leadership positions in their field.

Why study information technology at UNH?

You’ll have access to the UNH InterOperability Lab, where you’ll test the networking equipment of top technology companies, gaining real-world training and experience. And, you’ll have the opportunity to conduct research through capstone projects and independent studies. Many of UNH’s student organizations are a natural fit for IT majors, such as the Cyber Security Club, the Linux Club, and Wildcat Women in Computer Science. Plus, the Programming Assistance Center offers walk-in support and tutoring.

Potential Careers

Application developer
Cloud architect
Computer support specialist
Data center support specialist
Data quality manager
Database administrator
Desktop support manager/specialist
Information security analyst
Information technology specialist
Java developer
Network administrator
Network specialist
Programmer
Software developer
Web developer

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

Information technology is concerned primarily with the application of existing computing technologies to the information needs of organizations and individual computer users. The IT program aims to provide graduates with the skills and knowledge to take on appropriate professional positions in information technology upon graduation and grow into leadership positions in the field. Potential careers include network administrator, database developer, system administrator, and webmaster.

The broad objectives for B.S. in information technology graduates are:

Apply the full range of core IT concepts and techniques to fill the IT needs of an organization and be prepared to assume managerial and other advanced responsibilities,
Confront new problems effectively and anticipate the changing directions of technology,
Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders as well as function appropriately in a team environment,
Navigate within the complex relationships between IT and larger organizational goals, and
Understand the pervasive and changing role of computing technology in global society, and participate responsibly as both IT professional and citizen.

The B.S. in information technology program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Degree Plan

Sample Degree Plan

This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credits
CS 400	Introduction to Computing	2
CS 415	Introduction to Computer Science I	4
IT 403	Introduction to Internet Technologies	4
MATH 425	Calculus I	4
Discovery		4
	Credits	18
Spring
CS 417	From Programs to Computer Science	4
ENGL 401	First-Year Writing (Discovery)	4
Discovery		4
Physical Science (DLAB)		4
	Credits	16
Second Year
Fall
IT 505	Integrative Programming	4
IT 520	Foundations of Information Technology	4
CS 501	Professional Ethics and Communication in Technology-related Fields	4
Discovery		4
	Credits	16
Spring
CS 518	Introduction to Software Engineering	4
CS 527	Fundamentals of Cybersecurity	4
MATH 539	Introduction to Statistical Analysis	4
Biological Science (DLAB)		4
	Credits	16
Third Year
Fall
IT 609	Network/Systems Administration	4
IT 705	Project Management for Information Technology	4
IT Elective (1 of 3)		4
Minor (1 of 5)		4
	Credits	16
Spring
IT 699	Internship	1
IT 775	Database Technology	4
Minor (2 of 5)		4
Discovery		4
Free Elective		4
	Credits	17
Fourth Year
Fall
IT 791	Senior Project I	2
IT Elective (2 of 3)		4
Minor (3 of 5)		4
Discovery		4
Free Elective (optional)
	Credits	14
Spring
IT 792	Senior Project II	2
IT Elective (3 of 3)		4
Minor (4 of 5)		4
Minor (5 of 5)		4
Free Elective or Fourth Writing Intensive		4
	Credits	18
	Total Credits	131

Requirements for the Program

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits

Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH

Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*

Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements

Foreign Language Requirement: No

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Information technology majors must maintain an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better in all required information technology and computer science required courses in order to graduate. If at the end of any semester, including the first, a student's cumulative grade-point average in these courses falls below 2.0, the student may not be allowed to continue as an IT major. In order to meet the IT major requirements, the following courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better: CS 410P, CS 410C, CS 414, CS 415, CS 416, CS 417, IT 403, IT 505, IT 520.

If a student wishing to transfer into the information technology major has any coursework that is applicable to the major, the grades in those courses must satisfy the minimum grade requirements for the B.S. degree in information technology. The student must have an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better in all courses taken at the University.

In addition to the core IT requirements, each student must complete a complementary set of courses in a particular domain outside of IT to which the student's IT skills can be applied. This set of courses can be completed in one of the following ways: (1) An approved minor; or (2) A second major or UNH dual degree. A list of preapproved minors is available from the CS Department and requires at least (5) courses to complete.

Required Courses

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Information Technology Courses
CS 400	Introduction to Computing	2
CS 415	Introduction to Computer Science I ¹	4
or CS 410C	Introduction to Scientific Programming/C
or CS 410P	Introduction to Scientific Programming/Python
or CS 414
CS 417	From Programs to Computer Science ¹	4
CS 501	Professional Ethics and Communication in Technology-related Fields	4
CS 518	Introduction to Software Engineering	4
CS 527	Fundamentals of Cybersecurity	4
IT 403	Introduction to Internet Technologies	4
IT 505	Integrative Programming	4
IT 520	Foundations of Information Technology	4
IT 609	Network/Systems Administration	4
IT 699	Internship	1
IT 705	Project Management for Information Technology	4
IT 775	Database Technology	4
IT 791 & IT 792	Senior Project I and Senior Project II	4
IT Electives
Select three courses from the following:		12
IT 502	Intermediate Web Design
IT 604	Server-side Web Development
IT 605	Full-Stack Web Development
IT 612	Scripting Languages
IT 630	Data Science and Big Data Analytics
IT 666	Cybersecurity Practices
IT 718	Cloud Computing Principles
IT 725	Network Technology
IT 780	Topics in Information Technology
Mathematics Courses
MATH 425	Calculus I	4
MATH 539	Introduction to Statistical Analysis	4
Science Courses ²
One Discovery Biological Science (BS) with Discovery Lab		4
One Discovery Physical Science (PS) with Discovery Lab		4
Other Courses
Discovery requirements not already covered by required courses		24
General Electives		6-8
Minor, Second Major, or Dual Degree		20
Total Credits		129-131

¹: Starting in 2022-2023, all Information technology majors will be recommended to take CS 415 Introduction to Computer Science I and CS 417 From Programs to Computer Science as their two-semester sequence. CS 414 will be discontinued starting Fall 2022.
²: Courses must carry the Discovery attributes of Biological Science or Physical Science and include Discovery lab (DLAB).

Student Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
Identify and analyze user needs and to take them into account in the selection, creation, integration, evaluation, and administration of computing-based systems.
Self-learning skills, exposure to technologies new to the students, practice in understanding those technologies on their own.

Explore Program Details

Accreditation

The B.S. in information technology program is accredited by the:

Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
111 Market Place, suite 1050
Baltimore, MD
21202-4012
Phone: (410) 347-7700
www.abet.org

Second Disciplines and Minors

A pre-defined second discipline*;
A self-defined second discipline approved by the IT Program Coordinator;
An approved minor**;
A second major or UNH dual degree.

*Four (4) second disciplines have been defined by the CS department, requiring (4) courses in such areas as business administration, entrepreneurship, health management and policy, and justice studies.

Business Administration

Health Management and Policy

Justice Studies

Student-Designed Second Discipline

**An approved list of minors is available from the CS Department and requires (5) courses to be completed.

List of approved minors

Information Technology majors must maintain an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better in all required information technology, computer science, mathematics courses in order to graduate. If at the end of any semester, including the first, a student’s cumulative grade-point average in these courses falls below 2.0, the student may not be allowed to continue as a IT major.

The following courses must be passed with a grade of C- or better: IT 403, CS 410, CS 414, CS 415, CS 416, CS 417, IT 502, and IT 505. If a student wishing to transfer into the information technology major has any coursework that is applicable to the major, the grades in those courses must satisfy the minimum grade requirements for the B.S. degree in information technology. The student must have an overall grade-point average of 2.0 or better in all courses taken at the University.

As a guide to course selection students may use either of the following sets of guidelines:

Requirements Listing

Sample Schedule

Description of the IT 699 Internship

Student Outcomes

Student Outcomes in Information Technology

Advanced Degrees

Those interested in the Information Technology major may also be interested in the following advanced degrees. Students in the program also have the opportunity to participate in the UNH accelerated master’s program.

Computer Science M.S.

Computer Science Ph.D.